Around Britten – 2013

Around Britten is an extensive tour of events by Matthew Barley that pays homage to Benjamin Britten’s creativity and innovation, taking his music to a kaleidoscope of venues far and wide around the UK — not just in concert halls — to celebrate Britten’s centenary and to show that his music really is for everyone.

Released on Signum Classics, the recording includes Benjamin Britten’s Third Suite for Cello and works by Gavin Bryars andSir John Tavener. New works performed on the tour from composers James MacMillan, Dai Fujikura and Jan Bang will be added to the iTunes version throughout the year.

As well as concerts in conventional concert halls, Matthew will play in a kaleidoscope of venues throughout the country from cathedrals, concert halls and castles to a lighthouse in Kent, a barn in Colchester and a cave in Derbyshire. There will also be many outreach events, including cello masterclasses, creative music projects in schools, workshops in prisons and special schools, and performances in a children’s hospice. Full details can be found on the tour dates and tour map.